On Monday, Lucid (NASDAQ:LCID) Capital Markets initiated coverage on Saratoga Investment Corp (NYSE:NYSE:SAR) with a Buy rating and a price target of $27.00. The firm's analysis suggests that Saratoga Investment shares should trade at 98% of their fiscal year 2026 year-end Net Asset Value (NAV) estimate of $27.68. This initiation comes after a period of performance for Saratoga that saw the company's returns on equity (ROE) fall to peer-average levels due to realized losses in the first two quarters of the year.
Saratoga Investment had previously been recognized for its above-average ROE and lower than average credit losses before the start of the 2024 calendar year. The firm has taken steps to improve its credit quality profile and has been working on refinancing debt to mitigate the negative impact of lower interest rates on its net investment income (NII). These actions are seen as pivotal for Saratoga's potential return to its historically above-average ROE.
The analyst from Lucid Capital Markets highlighted the importance of Saratoga Investment reducing its leverage utilization over the mid to long term. This metric is heavily weighted by investors when assessing the company's value. The stock is currently trading at 96% of its NAV, which is close to the peer average of 94%. The firm believes that there is room for an increase in the stock's multiple based on the expectation that Saratoga will achieve above-peer ROE.
Lucid Capital Markets' price target of $27.00 implies an 11.0% dividend yield, which is based on the firm's forecast for FY25 regular dividends of $2.96. This forecasted yield compares favorably with the current 11.4% dividend yield relative to Saratoga's share price. For context, a peer group of externally-managed Business Development Companies (BDCs) is trading at a median Price/NAV of 94% and has a median dividend yield of 11.6%.
In other recent news, Saratoga Investment Corp. saw a significant year-over-year increase in adjusted net investment income (NII), which rose 38.3% to $18.2 million in the fiscal second quarter. The company also announced an annualized dividend of $0.74 per share and maintains a robust liquidity position, with $385.5 million available for potential investments. Despite a $34 million realized loss due to Pepper Palace restructuring, Saratoga's total return remains strong at 699% since management took over in 2010.
In other developments, the company's shareholders re-elected Christian L. Oberbeck as a director during the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Oberbeck will continue in his role until the 2027 Annual Meeting or until a successor is elected and qualified. This decision reflects the shareholders' confidence in Oberbeck's leadership.
Saratoga also expressed cautious optimism about future economic opportunities, emphasizing balance sheet strength and net asset value preservation. The company is ramping up its new Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) III license with $136 million available to support U.S. small businesses.
InvestingPro Insights
Saratoga Investment Corp's recent performance and Lucid Capital Markets' bullish outlook are complemented by several key insights from InvestingPro. The company's market cap stands at $359.79 million, with a P/E ratio of 16.57, indicating a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. Notably, Saratoga has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a 20.62% increase over the last twelve months and a 21.09% quarterly growth as of Q2 2025.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Saratoga's commitment to shareholder returns. The company has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and has maintained dividend payments for 18 consecutive years. This aligns with Lucid Capital Markets' focus on the attractive dividend yield. Currently, Saratoga offers a significant dividend yield of 11.35%, which is close to the analyst's forecasted yield of 11.0% for FY25.
The stock's recent performance has been robust, with a 15.77% price total return over the past three months, and it's currently trading near its 52-week high at 96.56% of that level. This strength is reflected in the "InvestingPro Tip" noting the stock's strong return over the last three months.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Saratoga Investment Corp, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.